Chapter 5: Evolution, Biodiversity & Conservation

Habitat destruction through deforestation, especially of tropical rainforests as seen in this satellite view of Amazon rainforests in Brazil, is a major cause of the current decline in biodiversity. (credit: modification of work by Jesse Allen and Robert Simmon, NASA Earth Observatory)

Learning Outcomes 

After studying this chapter, you should be able to:

  • Explain how Darwin’s theory of evolution differed from the current view at the time
  • Describe how the present-day theory of evolution was developed
  • Describe the four basic causes of evolution
  • Describe the definition of species and how species are identified as different
  • Describe biodiversity
  • Explain how species evolve through natural selection
  • Identify benefits of biodiversity to humans
  • Explain the effects of habitat loss, exotic species, and hunting on biodiversity
  • Identify the early and predicted effects of climate change on biodiversity
  • Explain the legislative framework for conservation
  • Identify examples of the effects of habitat restoration

Chapter Outline

  • 5.1 Introduction to Biodiversity and Evolution
  • 5.2 Mechanisms of Evolution
  • 5.3 Speciation
  • 5.4 Origin and Importance of Biodiversity
  • 5.5 Threats, and Preserving Biodiversity
  • 5.6 Chapter Resources

Attribution

Essentials of Environmental Science Section 5 by Kamala Doršner is licensed under CC BY 4.0. Modified by Joni Baumgarten.

Essentials of Environmental Science Section 11 by Kamala Doršner is licensed under CC BY 4.0. Modified by Joni Baumgarten.

Concepts of Biology by OpenStax is licensed under CC BY 4.0. Modified by Joni Baumgarten.

License

Icon for the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

Environmental Biology Copyright © 2023 by Joni Baumgarten is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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